Reducing the number of toxic substances in the home is a positive move for the entire family. Toxins are all around us; unfortunately we can't avoid them all, but we can make an impact by limiting known exposures.

The Environmental Working Group has a page that can be very helpful to parents trying to "green" their environment: Below we have listed some areas you may want to investigate further.

Water can contain chlorine, which can destroy beneficial bacteria in the gut, as well as causing other health issues. Water can also contain lead, copper and other heavy metals from pipes, solder points, or the supply itself. Carbon filtration systems can remove some of these contaminants.

Some people choose to install Reverse Osmosis Filtration Systems. It is important to teach children how to swim; however, if your child swims in a chlorine pool, you may choose to give your child Epsom salt baths after each session. To read more about this issue, see the Epsom Salts section under Interventions.

Your garden may contain pressure treated fencing or some bark chippings, both of which may contain considerable amounts of arsenic.

You can find some information on this issue here .

Some hosepipes contain lead to help keep the plastic supple. Always run the hose into a drain before using on the garden to remove any water sitting for extended periods in the pipe. There are no safe levels of lead. You can find some general information on lead here .

Mattresses, carpets, and soft furnishings can contain antimony and arsenic. Both are toxic heavy metals used as fire retardants. Some parents choose to remove most carpeting and buy organic mattresses. Some parents choose to wrap ordinary mattresses (details here ). Children's pyjamas also contain fire retardant and are therefore a possible source of toxicity. Washing the pyjamas six times in washing soda can remove most of it. Some parents choose to use long underwear instead of pyjamas and avoid the problem altogether.

Cleaning materials often contain toxic chemicals.

Cooking pans and crockery can pose dangers. Teflon can emit toxic fumes. Aluminium, nickel, and copper pans can leech toxic metals into food. Many people test their stainless steel cookware with a magnet. If the magnet sticks, the nickel levels will be quite low, and this is desirable. Many parents also use brands such as Le Creuset and Chasseur, or glassware such as Visions, as safe alternatives. Lead is used in some glazes for crockery. Be sure to verify carefully with the manufacturer in regard to lead.

Old paintwork, including previously painted but stripped wood, can contain lead. European countries generally have very high levels of lead in the environment. The following is a good introduction to the dangers of lead found in common household items such as children's toys, necklaces, and lunchboxes, and also in the soil in your back yard and the dust in your windowsills.

Vaccines can contain toxic metals, in particular mercury, in the form of a mercury preservative known as Thimerosal in the US and Thiomersal in the UK and elsewhere. It is important to read the vaccination insert to get accurate information. In the UK you can request that all of your child's vaccines be free of mercury, although this may cause delay in your child's vaccine schedule, so you may wish to allow plenty of time for your GP surgery to obtain mercury free versions for your child. Also, be aware that larger amounts of aluminium have replaced mercury in many vaccinations and there is some recent research which questions its safety for humans.

Dental work can pose hazards. You may wish to ensure your child does not have any amalgam, 'silver', fillings placed. White composites can be used if necessary. Silver fillings are made with mercury and other toxic metals. Recently US researchers acknowledged the potentially harmful health consequences stemming from the use of mercury in amalgam fillings. Many researchers and parents also question the efficacy and safety of fluoride treatments. This list is in no way exhaustive. There is a great deal of information on the internet. Be sure to evaluate the source of any information you may find. One parent in the autism community, Dana, has compiled information on sources of toxic heavy metals www.danasview.net/metals.htm. There are many helpful websites when it comes to sources of toxicity in your home. This one from Canada may be a good place to start http://www.toxicnation.ca/.